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CBIRS Request 1442
 
Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1442
Community Treatment for Mentally Ill Ex-Offenders
 
Requester: Michael Bernstein Organization: Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services
 
Project Title: Community Treatment for Mentally Ill Ex-Offenders Date Submitted 1/3/2008 4:24:17 PM
 
Sponsors: Crist
 
Statewide Interest:
Successful community reentry and reintegration for ex-offenders is a matter of critical importance to public safety, especially for people with severe mental illness.
 
Recipient: Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, Inc.   Contact: Michael Bernstein, President/C  
  14041 Icot Blvd.   Contact Phone: (727) 538-7150  
  Clearwater 33760   Contact email: mbernstein@gcjfs.org
 
Counties: Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas
 
Gov't Entity:   Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): Yes
 
Project Description:
This request is to continue funding that was appropriated by the 2006 and 2007 Legislatures (Line 821A & 854A) and approved by the Governor. The goal of this project is to increase public safety and reduce offender recidivism by: 1) increasing local community capacity to place and treat non-violent mentally ill ex-offenders who are not adequately served in the traditional service delivery system; and, 2) providing intensive intervention and supervision and needed treatment and support, including employment services and short-term transitional housing for non-violent ex-offenders returning to the community from prison or who are on probation. The project will coordinate needed services at the community level to include services such as mental health, substance abuse, housing, employment and health care. A total of 325 mentally ill ex-offenders will be served annually.
 
Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? No
 
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
1) 75% of non-disabled participants securing employment; 2) 50% maintain employment for 90 days; and, 3) 75% of participants will be linked with psychiatric services including medication management. The long term goal is a 50% reduction in criminal recidivism served in the 3 counties.
 
Amount requested from the State for this project this year: $850,000
 
Total cost of the project: $850,000
 
Request has been made to fund: Operations
 
What type of match exists for this project? Local
  Cash Amount $   In-kind Amount $164,500
 
Was this project previously funded by the state?   Yes
  Fiscal Year: 2007-08 ? Amount: $650,000
 
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?   Yes
  Amount: $850,000 To Fund: Operations
 
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?   No
 
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? Unknown
 
Is there a documented need for this project? Yes
  Documentation: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Council of State Governments & Ex-Offender Task Force
 
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?   Yes
  Hearing Body: Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Legislative Delegation meetings
 
Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida?   No